Press Releases

COLUMBUS – In response to a federal court order issued on Monday which indefinitely stayed three executions scheduled in 2017, today Governor John R. Kasich issued short delays for the scheduled executions of the first two inmates – Ronald Phillips and Raymond Tibbetts. Phillips was convicted in 1993 in Summit County for the rape and murder of a three-year-old girl, and Tibbetts was convicted in 1998 in Hamilton County for the murder of his wife and the couple’s 67-year-old landlord. Additionally, Kasich denied Phillips’ request for clemency.

“The State disagrees with the federal court’s indefinite stay and has already filed a notice of appeal to the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. Given the uncertainty created by the Court’s order, however, this brief delay should provide the Court time to resolve any pending legal issues,” said Emmalee Kalmbach, the governor’s press secretary.

The actions announced today will delay Phillips’ scheduled January 12 execution to February 15, 2017, and Tibbetts’ from February 15 to April 12, 2017.

Agreeing with the Ohio Parole Board in denying clemency to Phillips, Gov. Kasich stated: “Given the extremely brutal nature of the offense committed against an innocent three-year-old child, I agree with the Ohio Parole Board’s recommendation that clemency is not warranted in this case.”